A novel and rapid method to purify the human complement opsonin C3b from human plasma.

ABSTRACT: Complement opsonin C3b is at the center of the complement cascade. All complement initiation pathways converge when convertases activate C3, converting it into the anaphylatoxin C3a and the opsonin C3b, which can attach to surfaces via its freshly exposed thioester moiety. C3b has several important functions and remains a focus of basic and translational research. C3b and its proteolytically processed derivatives iC3b and C3dg are important opsonins for different complement receptors on various immune cells. C3b is the initiation nucleus for the formation of the alternative pathway C3 convertase and C3b clusters act as gatekeepers for the activation of C5, which initiates the terminal pathway. High densities of surface-deposited C3b alter the substrate specificity of complement convertases

SUBMITTER: Sichau J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12417186 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature